Electric mixer



l. JEPSON ETAL Feb. l2, 1963 ELECTRIC MIXER 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Aug. 25, 1958 E y j E@ 1 MMM W 9 5/ a@ Feb.-12, 1963 l. .IEPSONA ETAL 3,077,340

ELECTRIC MIXER Filed Aug. 25, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 [lll Feb. l2,V 1963 JEPsoN ETAL 3,077,340

ELECTRIC MIXER Filed Aug. 25, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Feb. 12, 1963 l. JEPsoN ETAL 3,077,340

` ELECTRIC MIXER Filed Aug. 25, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 3,077,340 ELECTRIC MIXER Ivar Jepson, Oak Parli, and Worthy L. Chambers, Chrcago, Ill., assinors to Sunbeam Corporation, Chicago, lil., a corporation of Iiiinois Fiied Aug. 25, 1958, Ser. No. 756,853 12 Claims. (Cl. 259-1) This invention relates to electric mixers, and more particularly to relatively small compact household mixers used in food preparation. Specifically, the present invention is an improvement on copending Jepson application Serial No. 366,910, filed July 9, 1953, now Patent No. 2,987,636, and assigned to the same assignee as the instant application.

The electric household mixing appliance or food mixer has become a standard and necessary tool of the housewife, and many millions of such mixers are in use today. Some of these househoid food mixers comprise a supportstand with several mixing bowls, and a mixing unit associated with the stand to perform a mixing operation. More recently there has been a demand for a small mixer which would involve a minimum storage problem in small apartments and the like. The mixer of the above-mentioned copending application is such a small mixer which has gone into extensive commercial use. Such small mixers were primarily intended to be held in the hand of the user during operation thereof. However, there has been a damand for such a small mixer which may also be supported on a stand for certain applications.

It would be desirable to provide a household food mixer which is very simple to build and assemble, and which may readily be disassembled for repair purposes if the occasion should arise. Heretofore such mixing appliances have been housed in a tubular casing of some sort, which necessitated the removal of the parts of such uni-t from the tubular casing to afford access thereto. It would be desirable to provide a household mixer in which the parts may be assembled on a base unit or the like while still being fully exposed for repair, and wherein the housing comprises such base unit and a suitable cover.

Many household food mixers have been provided with mechanisms for removing the beaters, commonly referred to as beater ejectors. Such devices permit the housewife or the user thereof to remove the beaters without physically grasping them and pulling them free from the mixing unit. This latter process is diiiicult when the beaters have been used if it is desired to avoid soiling the hands of the housewife. The beater ejectors which have heretofore been available have been rather complicated and expensive, and it would be desirable to provide a beater ejector mechanism which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, and yet is foolproof in operation.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved electric household mixer.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an electric household mixer which may readily be assembled and disassembled, and which has the parts thereof assembled to a main supporting member, and where even in such assembled position access to all of the parts is readily available.

Still another object of the present invention resides ink invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electric mixer and supporting means thereof shown in a position for performing a mixing operation;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the mixer power unit taken substantially along line 2-2 of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3 3 of FIG. 2, assuming that FIG. 2 shows the complete structure;

FIG. 4 is a view partly in section taken along line 4 4 of FIG. 2, again assuming that FIG. 2 shows the complete structure;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5 5 of FIG. 4, assuming that FIG. 4 shows the complete structure;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 6 6 of FIG. 2, again assuming that FIG. 2 shows the complete structure;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of certain portions of the food mixer shown in the preceding figures showing the principal elements defining the so-called beater ejector;

FIG. 8 illustrates in diagrammatical form the electrical control circuit for the mixer motor of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a combined bearing retainer and thrust plate used in the mixer of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of one of the brush supports used in connection with the mixer motor of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is an assembled view of the brush holder of FIG. l() is looking in the direction ofthe arrows ll-ll of FIG. 10;

FIG. l2 is a sectional view taken on line 12--12 of FIG. l1; f

FIG. 13 is an elevational view partly in section illustrating details of the mixer stand or support means of the present invention including its association with the mixer unit;

FIG. 14 is a view taken along line 14-14 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the lower end of one of the beater elements of the present invention; and t FIG. 16 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 16-16 of FIG. 4 assuming that FIG. 4 shows the complete structure.

The present invention accomplishes the objects set forth above in connection with a small hand operated mixer by providing a base member which defines at least one side of the mixer housing, upon which member is supported the motor field windings, the armature, fan, gearing, brushes, control switch and the like in a manner whereby all parts, when assembled with the base unit, are exposed to ready access. The housing is completed by applying a cover member which encloses the assembled mechanism. A very simple beater ejector is housed in a portion of the base and is operated in a foolproof manner. Although the mixer unit with the associated beaters may comprise the entire mixing device, which may he supported from a suitable hook or the like, if desired a suitable support may be provided for supporting the mixer and an associated mixing bowl. mit one-hand assembly of the mixer therewith, and which support is simple and compact and presents a minimum problem as far as storage is concerned.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown a small household mixer, generally designated by the reference numeral 3?, which may be held in the hand of the housewife or other person Patented Feb. 12, 1963- This support is designed to per-` mortaio while being used for a mixing operation to be performed in a suitable mixing bowl 31, or, if desired, the. mixer may be supported on a suitable stand generally designated at 32, having a turntable 29 for the bowl `3].n whichstand u,

is described in more detail hereinafter. The mixer 30 includes the conventional beater elements 33 which are removable from an electrically motor driven unit contained in a suitable housing, whichunit is generally designated by the reference numeral 34. u

ConsideringV iirst the'p'ower or motor driven unit 34 for` driving the beaters 33, an important feature of the` present invention comprises the provision of motor base unit 36 which comprises a casting of aluminum or directedA spaced sleeve portions Y36h and 36p whichhouse the driving spindle for the beaters 33 described in more detail hereinafter. As b est shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings, the motor unitl base 36 is shaped to gear housing, into which recess` the sleeves 376,!)` and 36o depend. This recess 33 defines a beater ejector housing, as willbe described in greater detail hereinafter.

For the purpose of supporting a suitableelectric motor, the motor unit base 36 atI the centralportion thereof is0 provided on either side thereof with upwardly directed supports 36d and 36e. The supports 36d and 36e are very similar, one on either side of the base Aunit 36.. Each comprises a pair of spaced upwardly directed pins`3 9 and 4b for positioning the` motor therebetween as described hereinaftenand the unit 36e includes a single tapped projection 4l for receiving a clamping screw 42, While.

the unit 36d includes a pair oftapped4 projections similar to the' projection 41 for receiving a pair of clamping screws 43. A

In order to support the rear bearing ofr an electric motor, the base unit 36 is provided at the rear end `thereof with a raised bearing support 36f (FIG. 4). Similarly, to support suitable brush retainersfor a universal type electric motor, the base unitV 36 isprovidedA with brush holder supports on either side thereof, respectively,brushA holder' supports 36g and 36h, the supportsnfor only one` side of the motor being visible (FIG. 4), but thesupports for the other side being identical.,` It will be appreciated that the base unit 36Vessentially detines the bottom of 'the` housing of the power unit 34. To this end .the base unit 36 is provided 'with an upwardly directed peripheral flange 36j which surrounds allbutthe frontofthe` baseunit, and hence provides a suitable shoulder 45,1215 bestshown in FIG. 5 of the drawings, for cooperatipn with a suitable housing member describedhereinafter.

Itwill be appreciated that a household mixer includes aprime mover, and to this end there is provided an electric motor, generally designatedat?, which` cornprises a stator 48 defined by a plurality ofstator laminations 48a which `are riveted `tolgetherJto form a statorlasfu sembly. Each of the stator laminations includesat either` side thereof near thebottom lateral` projections 48b so that` the entire stator assembly is provided with a ledge for support on the `projections 36d and 36e.` The. positioning projections 39 and 4t), bestshown `foronev side of the unit'in FIG; 4 of the drawings, space the stator or field structure in the proper longitudinal position, and` the stator may then be securedI on the supports36d and 36e by clamping` screws` 42 and 43 which engage the projections tb of Ythe `laminations 48.

In accordance rwith'the `present invention andY to secure,k

accurate positioning of the motor stator assembly, the base member 36 isprovided with an integral central rib or key 36g which is receivable in a cooperating recess or keyway 48e cut into the underside of the statoras clearly shown in FIGS. 4 and 16 of the drawings. Engagement of the key 36g in the keyway 48C insures accurate lateral positioning and proper angular orientation, thus eliminating any chance of misalignment of the motor parts. A single screw 42 on one side, and two screws 43 on the other side are sufficient properly to secure the stator to the base 36. It will be appreciated that the stator 48 will be clamped into the desired vertical and lateral position so as to be concentric with a suitable armature to be described hereinafter.

The field or stator windings designated at 50 and 51 V control. A suitable clip arrangement 52 preferably holds Y` provide a recess 38 beneath the portion 36a defining the the stator windings assembled to the stator.

Rotatably mounted with respect to the field structure ofthe motor 47 is a suitable armature 54 (FIG. 4) mounted for rotation with a suitable armature shaft 55. The armature shaft 55 also supports a suitable commutator 56, since the motor' 47 is preferably a so-called universal motor capable of operatingV from a source of either alternating or direct current;

For the purpose of supporting the` :armature 54- for.

rotation'relative tov-theiield structure in a manner well; understood by thoseskilled in the art, there is provided,`

as best shown inFIG. 4, a rear bearing 5'7` which is,suitably-supported from |theproject-ion.3:61 of the motor unit bas-e 36. This projection 36j is shapedwith a semispheri cal` upwardly directed recess to receive the bearing 57. therein, which bearing is held inV position by a suitable combined bearing retainer and thrust bearing element 53, best shown in'FIG. 9 of the drawings. A suitable thrust button 59, preferably formed of a sintered bronze impregnated with oil is pressed into the end of the armature shaft 55 so as to bear against the thrust bearing portion 53a of the combined bearingretainer and thrust bearing' 58.` A pair ofscrews 60 (FIG. 3) engaging Itappedopen.

ings-in the projection 361 hold the4 combined bearing reftainer and thrust bearing S8 in` position, and hence also hold the bearing 57 in position.V in order tolubricate the bearing 57, the bearing retainer 58 is provided atthe center thereof with a suitable opening` lfor receiving an upwardly directed wick 62 to supply oil in a manner- `which will readily be apparent -to those skilledin the art.

Preferably also the element S3 supportsa felt or similar` element 63 (FIG. 9)to insure the desired lubrication.

The forward end of the varmature shaft S5 is suitably supported `ina bearing 64, as best shown in FIGS. 5 .and 6 of the drawings. The bea1'ing464 is vdisposed in a suitable` depression 65 dened in the portion 36a of the motor unitbase36.` Inorderntohold the forward bearing 64. imposition, there is provided a bearing spring 66, best shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings, which is provided in a recess 67,0f al gearbox cover member 68, which, with rthe p ortion 36a, defines the gear chamber 37. As best shown in FIG.k `3 of the drawings, the gear boxA cover68 is suitablysecured by a plurality of` screws or fastening means 691e `the portion'36a, `and ythe portion 36a andthe0 cover 6,8preferablyl include interlocking shoulder` members designated at 76.(EIGS. 4 and 61of;the drawY ings); The spring 66 is designed so when pushed into` tl1e rec e,ss 67 the bowed ends Vthereofwengage the recess wllsto retain it in 4place prior to securing cover `member 68 in-place. Upon assembly of cover member Gtbe spring66 performs its bearing holding functionandds deflected so the ends thereof move out .of` engagement with`the recess walls esclearly shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings.' A pair-of front bearing` seals 71. 4formed of feltorother suitable material (FIG. 6) prevent lubr ica.V ting materialsuoh `as grease containedwithin` the,` gear chambery? from goin`g=outhside the gear chamber'.`

In order to transmit the rotation of the armature shaft 55 to the beaters 33, there is pro-vided on the end of the motor shaft 55 disposed within lthe gear chamber 37 a worm 73. This worm may be identical with that disclosed in 'the above-mentioned copending Jepson application and, as in said copending application, the worm 73 drives a pair of worin gears 74, only one of which is Visible in FlG. 4 of the drawings. These gears '7d are each drivingly connectedto a different one of a pair of hollow spindles 75, which hollow spindles are rotatably mounted within the sleeves 36h and 36e, respectively, of the base unit 36. journallecl within the sleeves 36h and 36C. As best shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings, the gears 74 are secured to the respective one of the hollow spindles 75 as by set screws '76. lt will be apparent that rotation of the armature shait 55 and simultaneous rotation of the worm 73 will cause rotation in opposite directions of the two worm gears 74, an-d consequently of the hollow beater driving spindles 75.

In accordance with the present invention, a step drill is employed to provide the recess in t-he hollow spindles '75, and then a broaching tool is inserted to provide a pair of flutes or splines 78 so as to malte driving connecftion with the beaters 33. As illustrated, each of the beaters 33 is provided with a shank fida, the upper end of which is flattened as indica-ted at 331i drivingly to engage with the ilutes or splines 73. The beater Shanks are also provided with a recess for receiving spring retaining means 79 which engage suitable annular recesses 8d in the hollow driving spindles '75. As will be described in greater detail hereinafter7 each of the beater Shanks is provided with an enlarged shoulder portion dl. for cooperation with suitable beater ejecting means. It will be appreciated that the beater shank 33a of each of the beaters is inserted within one of the hollow spindles 75 so that the flattened portion 331; is in driving engagement with the flutes or splines 73, and the spring retainer '7l is in engagement with the associated recess lill so that the beaters 33 are retained in driving engagement. The

beaters may be removed by applying `a force along the longitudinal axis of the beater Shanks 33a in a direction away from the hollow spindles 75.

To complete the motor structure there are provided a pair of brush assemblies, generally designated at $5', best shown in FlGS. 3, 10, 11 and 12 of the drawings. As there illustrated, each brush assembly comprises a supporting member tid, preferably formed of molded in'- sulating mfterial. As illustrated, each insulating brush support 86 comprises a flat plaiteliiie portion tie; from which projects a lateral support section Sb, the latter portion being provided with a notch 87. The brush support member de is adapted to be supported on the support members 35h and Eng, integrally formed with the base 3o. For each brush support S6 there are provided two projections 36h which are notched at the top as indicated at 5- (FlG. 4 of the drawings) so that the lower corners of the platelilce portion Stic of the support 86 are received in these notches 8S. Actually, the corners of the platlike portion @da of the support de are cut away as indicated at to be received within the notches d8. All four corners of the pla-telilre member Stic are out away to permit reversal of the support titi for the opposite side or the motor 47. To further support the member S6, the projecting portion heb engages the upper end of the support 36g and is suitably secured thereto by fastening means in the form of a screw @d engageable with suitable tapped openings in the upper end of support member 36g.

For the purpose of suitably supporting in a readily removable member a suitable brush holder, the support 36 is provided on the side thereoi opposite the projection Seb with integrally formed parallel disposed projections Sec which deine a slide for receiving a movable brush holder 91 slidable therein. The brush holder 91 is preferln fact, the hollow spindles 7S are suitably ably formed of brass or other good conducting material and provides a hollow chamber therein for receiving suitable brushes 92 (FIG. 3 of the drawings) as well as suitable compression springs, not shown, for biasing the brushes into engagement with the cominutator 56 in a manner well understood by those skilled in the art. One end of the brush holder 91 is open to permit the associated brush 92 to extend out of the holder into eng-agement with the commutator 56. The other end of the holder 91 is closed, as indicated at 9?.:1, so as to provide a support for the biasing spring biasing the brush into contacting engagement with the commutator. This closed end of the brush holder 91 is preferably provided with a projecting loop 91b whereby electrical connection with the brush holder and, consequently, the brush can readily be made.

in accordance with the present invention there is provided a simple arrangement for removably securing the brush holder 91 relative to the insulating support 6. AS illustrated, the brush holder 91 is provided at its open end with a pair of lateral flanges 91o, and at its closed end with an end flange 91d. The support S6 is molded so as to provide cutaway portions 93 in the flat platelilre portion a which extend partially beneath the parallel projections Soc. Similarly, the portion Saa is provided with an opening 94:- which extends beneath an interconnecting projection interconnecting the projections 86C. When the brush holder is assembled in the manner of FIG. 12 of the drawings, the flange 91d is locked beneath interconnecting portions of the proiections 86C and, similarly, the langes 91C move frictionally against the underside of the projections 8de into the openings 93 beneath the projections 86o securing the brush holder 91 snugly in assembly with support 86. This arrangement is obtained by a simple molding operation without any subsequent machining or the like.

In the above-mentioned copending application there is disclosed and claimed an electric switch for controlling the beater motor and providing a plurality of selective speeds, which switch is positioned so that it is disposed in a handle portion and may be readily manipulated by the operator. Substantially the identical switch is employed in the instant application and, as best shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 of the drawings, comprises a flat insulating plate 96 upon which` all the elements of the switch are mounted. Except for the particular shape of the plate 96, the switch generally designated at 9'7 is identical with the switch disclosed and claimed in the above-mentioned copending application. lt comprises a switch control arm 9S pivotally mounted about a pivot 99 mounted in the support Sie. Secured to the control arm 98 and pivotally movable therewith is a switch arm 1li@ which is adapted selectively to engage one of a plurality of switch contacts lill, 18'?. and lll which have the ends thereof extending through a series of spaced openings 194 in the insulating plate 96. For the purpose of controlling the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of the wiper arm ititl, and to provide an electrical circuit for part of the switch, there is mounted on the insulating plate 9o a curved contact control strip 18S upon which the wiper arm lllll rides as it is pivoted about pivot pin 959'. The wiper arm lill) is formed of a spring -material and is biased toward the insulating plate 96 to insure continuous electrical contact between the wiper arm and the bus bar or strip ldd. As best shown in FIG. 8 of the drawings, each of the contacts lill, 1li?. and 163 is electrically connected to a diferent tap on the iield winding 5d of electric motor 47, the Contact lill being connected through a conductor 1li-7 to a tap 198, the contact 102 being connected through a conductor 1519 to the tap 11d, and the contact 193 being connected through a conductor 111i to the tap 112. A fourth conductor 113 is connected to the bus bar 16S. Preferably these four conductors are included in a suitable insulating sheath 115 to facilitate electrical interconnection of the switch contacts and the remainder of the motor circuit including the tapped eld winding 5d.

p adresse Electrical power for the motor 47 is supplied through a conventional power plug 116 and a twin conductor 117 which enters the motor housing through a suitable grommetlike strain relief member 118, best shown in FIGS. 3 and 8 of the drawings. One lead of the twin conductor 117 is connected to the conductor 113 heretofore described, while the other lead is connected to the eld Wind-- ing 51. These field windings 5t?1 and 51 are connected each to a different one of the brushes 92 associated with the commutator 56.

The o position of `the switch 17 comprises the ex treme left-hand position of the wiper arm 1nd, as viewed in FIG. 6 of the drawings, and in this position the wiper armrests upon one end of -a raised portion 105e of the bus bar 1115. As the wiper arm rotates in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 6 of the drawings, it moves across successive raised portions 11i-5b and 105e and also drops into a space between the raised por tions. It is inthese spaces between the raised portions that contact between the arm 1110 and the contacts 1111, 1112 and 163 is permitted. The raised portions then pro vide a sort of detent arrangement forpositioning the switch in a series of differentpositions and further pro vide a relatively fast make andbreak of the contacts. As` was pointed out above, the Adetails of the switch 97 form no part ofr the present invention but are fully disclosed and claimed in the above-mentionedcopending application.

For the purpose of supporting the switch 97 in the top forward portion of the unit 34, the bottom edge of the insulating plate 96 is provided with a pair of integral downwardly directed tabs 6a and gob which are adapted to be received in corresponding recesses 120 and 121 defined inthe top of the gear box cover 68. In order to hold the switch 97 with the tabs-96a and 96bengaging the recesses 120` and 121, there is provided a switch housing 122, preferably formed ofV an insulating material such as cardboard or paper material, which houses the switch as best shown in FIG.` 2 of the drawings. This paper housing Mil-essentially comprises a member folded into a U shape with an opening 123 at the top to permit thecontrol arm or manipuating lever 98 to extend-therethrough. Essentially, they opening'123 is in the bight of the U-shaped housing 122. The ends of theleg portions of the U-shaped housing 122 are bent at an angle to provide lateral iianges 122e which overlie the gear housing cover 68. Preferably, these iianges are secured to the gearhousing'in-any suitable manner. As illustrated, the

gear housing cover 68 is provided with integral projec tions Grten either side of the recesses 120 and 121 which extend throughV suitable openings in the iianges 12M. Suitable speed fastening means 124 may be secured to the projections 68a tohold the housinglll in'position. This arrangement will notA only. holdthe housing in positionbut will hold the switch in assembled relation-l ship with the gearbox cover 63. To further secure and support the switch supporting plate 96, the gear box cover 68 is` preferably provided with anintegral upwardly directed projection obb having a lnotched rrecess 126 in the upper end thereof to receive a shoulder portion 96C defined on one edge of switch plate 96, as best shown in` With this arrangement the switch mech-anism 97 is joined and-relatively rmly' FIGS. 6 andS of the drawings.

supported on the gear box cover 68 with all portions thereof except the top and the front edge ofthe plate 96 being firmly supported.

It will be appreciated that the motor unit 47 should preferably be provided with air cooling means to cool the same, and to this end `there is mounted on the shaft 55,

immediately adjacent the4 commutator 56, a suitable fanl 13h which may -be secured to the `shaft 55 in any suitable manner. This fan is `arranged to cause air to enter through suitable, openings 131 at the rear of the base unit 36' andd pass over the'windings Vof themotor 47 andout of` the motor chamber through openingsf132and`t133, and" over the gear box cover 68, best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings, in a manner which will readily be understood by those skilled in the art. This direction of ,air `iiow is desired because there is less likelihood of drawing food material such as flour or the like into the motor housing.

To provide a shroud for the fan and toY support the electrical conductors, there is preferably provided a .shroud member 134 which has a notch 13S in one upper corner for receiving therein the insulating sleeve .L15 containing the respective electrical conductors. Thus, the shroud also serves to properly position the conductors so they cannot get into the moving parts of the apparatus,.

particularly the fan. Preferably, the` shroud is supported in grooves defined between projections 36k (FIG. 3) integrally formed with the flange 36]' of the base 36. The tiange 36j is provided with a suitable notch, not shown,` for receiving the strain relief member 118 which preferably includes a central annular recess 118:1 to secure the.

, 14h is preferably provided with an integral handle portion b to permit the user. to grasp the same during al mixing operation. Preferably, the housing is secured to the base unit by suitable fastening means 142 at the forward end thereof and suitable fastening means 143 at the rear end thereof. Specifically, the cover member 144)` is provided with integrally molded downwardly directedy projections 140C at the forwardend thereof (FIGS. 2, 3f and 4), and similar projections 14nd at the rear thereof (FIG. 3),` which projections are provided with tapped` inserts to receive the fastening means 142 and 143, respectively.

To cooperate-with the notch defined in the iiange 36j` of the base 36 for thestrain relief member 113,. the def pending iiange of thecover member 1411 is provided with a similar cooperating notch 145 to accommodate the portion of the strain relief member 113 extending above the. bottom of the cover member. it will be understood that when the cover member 140 is secured to the base 36 the` strain relief member 118 will effectively close the opening;

defined by the notches 145 and the cooperating one in ange 36j.-

The rear end of the cover member 145i) is provided with; a narrow rearwardly extending ange or ledge 140e (FIG.` 4) which, with the end-of the handle member Milb, provides a firm support to permit the mixer to effectively,` stand on its rear end when not used during a mixing op-` eration, particularly if the power` unit 34 is used withoutr the stand 32, which is commonlythe case.

. order to accommodate the switch 97 previously described, a portion of the handle 14% integrally formed with the cover member is hollow to define the switch chamber 1.47, best shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6. Al suitable `slot 143 1s provided at the upper end of the handle chamber 147 to permit the control arm 9S for the switch 97 tojacent the switch control knob 149, and by merely moving,

her thumb` along the concavity 151i defined in the handle the switch 97 may readily be manipulated to four different positions. Preferably, suitable indicia are provided in the concavity- 151i defined in the upper handle surfacead-f jacent the slot 148 readily to indicate the desired .pos

aorte-i0.

tion of the knob 149 and, consequently, the desired switch position for certain mixing operations, such, for example, as whip, blend, fold, beat, stir and so forth.

For the purpose of supporting the fan shroud 134 at its upper end, the cover member 1453 is preferably provided with depending projections such as 146i for holding the upper end of the shroud in position. Also, the cover member 1d@ is provided with a depending tubular member 146g (FIG. 4) which is connected with an opening 151 (FIG. 4) whereby a suitable lubricant may be supplied to the wick 62 previously described. Also, to support the top and the front edge of the switch plate 97, the top of the switch chamber 147 is provided with means defining shoulders 14d/z and 1491' (PEG. 6) which engage the top of the plate 97 and additionally a groove is defined between spaced parallel projections at the front of the switch chamber 147 for receiving therein the front edge of the plate 97.

Many times a housewife desires to store the mixer without using up shelf or drawer space in the kitchen. To this end the power unit 34 is provided with means permitting it to be hung from a suitable support. Accordingly, there is provided at the forward end thereof and extending into the beater ejector chamber 33 a supporting plate 152 (FGS. 5 and 6) having a suitable keyhole slot therein, not shown in the drawings. rl'his supporting plate 152 is preferably secured to a boss 36m integrally formed with the base unit, which boss is provided with a tapped opening to accommodate fastening means 153.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided an improved beater ejector means which is very simple in construction and easy to assemble. To this end there are integrally formed with the base 36 within the chamber 38 a pair of trunnion supports 36u, which are essentially projections into the beater ejector chamber 38 with downwardly directed trunnion receiving recesses 154. Mounted for pivotal movementfwith respect to the trunnion receiving recesses 154 is an ejector 156. This ejector includes an elongated portion 156er having at either end thereof coaxially arranged trunnions 15611. Preferably, the ejector 156 is a stamping, and the trunnions are dencd by a longitudinal groove along the length of the portion 156e: so as to provide an upper convex surface for engagement with the trunnion receiving recesses 154. The ejector 156 includes a pair of integral downwardly directed ejector arms 156C and 156d which are disposed in such position as to engage the enlarged shoulder portions d1 secured to the Shanks 33a of the beaters 33. In accordance with the present invention the ejector arm 156d is slightly longer than the ejec-tor arm 156e, as clearly shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings, so that it engages and releases its beater element 33 before arm 156C becomes effective. r:Thus the force for operating `the ejector 156 need never be greater than that required to eject one beater element. In order to hold the ejector 156 with its trunnions 156]: in engagement with the trunnion receiving recesses 15d, and simultaneously to bias the ejector 156 into nonejecting position, there is provided a tension spring 15S which has one end thereof secured to a suitable opening defined in the ejector 156 between the common axis of the trunnions 156b and Ithe ejector arms 156e and 156e'. The other end of the spring 15S is suitably secured to a projection 36p integrally formed with the base 36 and disposed at the upper forward portion of the beater ejector chamber 3S.

For the purpose of manually actuating the ejector 156 when desired, the ejector 156 is provided with a lateral integral extension 156e which is connected to a suitable ejector link 16d. This ejector link extends outside the cover member 14d through a suitable opening 161 defined therein. The upper end of the link is connected to a relatively large rectangular control knob 162 which is receivable in the opening 161 which is correspondingly rectangular. Preferably also the handle portion 140b of the cover member has a recess 163 or undercut portion defined therein to accommodate the knob 162. The upper shoulder of this recess 163 then defines a stop for the knob 162 thus defining the upper limit of the pivotal movement of the spring biased ejector 156. The link 161) is bent slightly so that it does not interfere with the gear housing defining the gear chamber 37, as is best shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings. It will be appreciated tha-tl when the housewife desires to eject the beaters 33, all she need do is to press downwardly on the knob 162, thus causing the ejector plate 56 to pivot about the trunnions 156b in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 6 of the drawings against the force of tension spring 153, Under these conditions the ejector arms 156e` and 156d move from the solid line positions of FIG. 6 to the dashed line positions with the resultant ejection first of one beater by .the arm 15651 and then of the other beater by the arm 156e by engagement with the associated shoulders 81. The spring 158 not only holds the ejector 156 in position, but constantly biases it to the nonejecting position shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings. In view of the detailed description included above, the simplicity of manufacture and assembly will readily be appreciated. The ejector 156 need merely be positioned with its trunnions 156i; in the recesses 154, whereupon the spring 153, when secured to the hook 36p, causes the ejector 156 to be in operative condition. Preferably, the link 160 is merely provided with a tab 161m at the lower end thereof receivable in a suitable opening 164 defined in the extension 156e of the ejector 156.

For the purpose of enclosing the beater ejector chamber 38, there is provided a closure or escutcheon plate 165, which preferably is merely snapped into place. As illustrated, the plate 165 preferably includes a pair of integral tabs 165e (FIGS. 4 and 5) which extend into the air openings 132 and 133, respectively, thus securing the rear end of the escutcheon plate 165 in position. The forward and upper end of the escutcheon plate preferably snaps behind with a deformation defining an air outlet opening 166.`

Likewise, the escutcheon plate is provided with suitable openings 167 (FIG. 4) at the bottom thereof to accommodate the shanks 33a of the beaters and narrow slits 163 (FIG. 6), to accommodate the ejector arms 156s` and 156d. Similarly, a keyhole-shaped opening, not shown, aligned with an identical opening in support plate 152 is provided.

In accordance with 4the present invention the lower ends of each of th-elbeaters 33 is provided with suitable means to prevent damage or discoloration of the bowls 31. In this connection reference may be had to FIG. l5, which is a greatly enlarged view of the bottom end of one of the beaters 33. The radially disposed beater bands 33]; and 33e are shown in section at the point of crossing thereof, where an extension 4of reduced cross section 33d of the shank 33a extends through aligned openings in .these bands. As is clearly eviden-t from FIG. 1 of the drawings, the radially disposed beater bands 33h and 33C are arranged at right angles relative to each other. As illustrated in FIG. l5 of the drawings, the end of this extension 33d is peened over to secure thereto a suitable annular clip 176'. The annular clip 170 holds a nylon disk or bu-tton 171 securely to the lower end of the beater shank 33a. Instead of the clip 17d, fastening means such as disclosed in Jepson Patent No. 2,552,972 may be employed.

In order that the motor unit 14) may be supported from the stand in a manner so that the operator may support the unit from the stand or remove it therefrom with one hand, the base 36 of the power unit 34 is provided at the rear thereof with a narrow recess 172, best shown in FIGS. 4 and 13 of the drawings. This recess is effectively a narrow slot having a uniform width in one entren dimension and a dii/erging cross section in the other difnension, 4as clearly shown in FIG. 13 of the drawings. The edges along the diverging dimension are V-shaped to provide a centering and stabilizing effect on cooperating means described hereinafter. This recess accommo-y dates a correspondingly shaped portion 173e of a pivotall member 173, best shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 of the drawings which has beveled edges cooperating with the V-shaped. edges of the recess 172. The beveled edges and diverging configuration insures a readily separable but stable support.. The pivotalr member 173 is pivotally mounted at the upper end ofthe stand 32, which stand includes a platform 174 supporting an upright member 175 suitably secured thereto. The platform 174v of the stand 32 is preferably a molded plastic member supported' on a plurality of feet 176 which may comprise cylindrical rubber or resilient members inserted in suitable re-f cesses such as 177 deiined in the platform 174. VThe platform 174 supports the turntable 29 inthe conventional mannerso that the bowl 31 may be rotated with the` turntable 29 relative to the `platform 174.

The upright 175 preferably comprises a metal strip having defined near the'Y lower end a pair. of shoulders 179. The upright 175 is inserted intora slot 180 molded inthe platform 174 until the shoulders 179- thereof engage cooperating ledges 17411 deiined Within the slot. or recess 180;

The lower end of the upright 175 is provided with an'J elongated opening 181 therethrough for receiving a suitable resilient clamping means 182 whichfengages against the underside of the platform 174. As illustrated in FIG.V 13, the underside of' the platform is provided' with sort of ratchet teeth 183, andthe resilient member- 182 is pushed through the opening 181 and prevented from com# ing outby the ratchet teeth 183. This arrangement forces the shoulders 179 into engagement with the-ledges 17dev and securesV the upright 175'to the platform 174 in'avery simple but effective manner. f

For the purpose of pivo-tally supporting the member 173 from the upper end" of the upright 175, the uprightis` electively` bifurcated at the upper end by aV suitable slot within whichis received a compression spring 184 and` a spherical member 13S. A suitable shaft 1&6 eX- tending through an opening defined in the pivotalsupport 173` is-disposed along the upper end of the upright' 175, as clearly shown in FIG. ldofthe drawings, With ai. portion 17312 ofv thepivotal support 173 disposed in they slot andhaving` an edge thereof` engaged by the' spherical member 185 which is biased toward the pivotal member 173 bythe spring 184. For the purpose of holding the shaft 186, the pivotal member 173, the spherical member and the spring 154' assembled tothe upright 175,` there are'provideda pair of `U-shaped plate members 183 and lilt'which are secured by suitable rivets 19t? in the manner clearly indicated in FIGS. 13`andv14 tothe upper end of the upright 175. The pivotal member 173 isY provided with a pair of spaced'shoulders 173C and V173:1 at the lower edge defining a notch 192 therebetween. The notch 1952 has a curvilinear configuration and is provided with slight indentations at either end to form detents for the reception of the spherical member 135,

i thus selectively locking the pivotal memberi173 in either the solid line position of FIG. 13 or'k the dashed line'position there shown. unit 34 is` supported for the well-known mixing operation'showninFIG. l of thedrawings. The dashed line position will causethe mixer to'be-supported in a nonmixing position to afford the housewife access to the* 1n the solid line position thepower It will be appreciated that there has been disclosed a very simple construction which can be assembled withV ease. Moreover, ready access to all the parts of the' power unit can be had by mere removal of the cover member. j

While there has been illustrated and described a single embodiment of the mixer unit of the present invention, it will be understood that numerous changes and modi-A iications will occur to those skilled in the art, and it is intended in the appended claims to cover all thoseV changes and modifications which fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention. I

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

4l. A food mixer comprising a casing, an electric motor` in said casing, a' downwardly directed recess at one end of said casing, a pair of spaced sleeves integral` with a' portion of said casing depending into said recess, a pair of hollow spindles one rotatably` disposed in each of said 4 holding saidV beaters' in driving relationship with said i spindles, a shoulder defined on each of said beater shafts immediately adjacent the depending end of said sleeves, a pair of spaced downwardly directed trunnion receiving notches defined by the walls of said recess, a plate including a pair of trunnions received in said notches, spring` means holding said plate with said trunnions in said` notches and biasing said plate into said recessin al direction away from sai-d shoulders, and means secured to said plate and movable with said plate toward said shoul-` ders and into engagement therewith -toforce said beater shafts outotl drivingengagement with said spindles.

2L A food mixer comprising a casng,. an electric motor in said casing, a downwardly directed recess at one end ofsaid casing, a pair of spaced sleeves integral with a portion of said casing depending into said recess, a pair of hollow spindles one rotatably disposed in each ofisaid sleeves, means for drivingly connecting said spindles to said motor, a pair of beaters each including a shaft, said beater shafts being insertable one into each of said hollow spindles so as to be driven thereby, means for releasably holding said beaters in driving relationship with said spindles, a shoulder deiined on each ot said` beater shafts immediately adjacent the depending` endiof said sleeves, a pair of spaced downwardly, directed trunnion receiving notches defined by the Walls of said recess, a plate including a pair of trunnions receivable in said notches, spring means for holding said plate with -said trunnions in said notches and for biasing said plate into said recess in a direction away from said shoulders, and a pair of arms secured to said plate and movable iwithsaid plate toward said' shoulders and into engage- `tmenttherewith to force said beater shafts out of driving engagement with said spindles, one of said pair of farmsV being of dierent length than the other so that Asaid beaters are ejected successively rather than simuljtaneously.

3. A portable electric fo'od mixer comprising a power unit including a casing comprising a cover memberhav- 'ing a handle integrally formed therewith, a motor in said casing, abeater element driven by said motor, beater lejector means for releasing said beater element from ydriven engagement with said motor, means deiining an Aopening of rectangularcross section Yin said cover memlber, a recess in said handle adjacent said opening, a

reciprocally movable rectangular button disposed in said. opening and said recess, and means for connecting said 5. ln a food mixer, an electric power unit including a gear casing, a handle secured to said power unit, means delining a chamber in said handle immediately above said gear casing, electric switch means for con trolling said power unit, said switch means including a flat plate of insulating material, means for supporting the bottom edge of said plate directly on said gear casing whereby said plate extends into said chamber, an insulating housing enclosing said plate secured to said gear casing, said housing engaging the upper edge of said plate and thereby retaining said plate in position on said gear casing, and means defined by the walls deiining said chamber for engaging and supporting one of the side edges of. said plate.

6. The food mixer of claim wherein said insulating housing comprises a U-shaped element having the bight of the U engaging the upper edge of said plate.

7. An electric food mixer comprising a power unit includingA an electric motor, gear means disposed at one end of said motor and driven thereby, a gear casing enclosing said gear means, a housing for said power unit including a handle secured thereto, means defining a chamber in said handle disposed immediately above said gear casing electric switch means for controlling said power unit, said switch means including a hat plate of insulating material, means on said gear casing for supporting the bottom edge of said .plate whereby said plate extends into said chamber, an insulating enclosure for said plate secured to said gear casing, said enclosure engaging the upper edge of said plate and thereby retaining said plate in position on said gear casing, means defining an opening in said enclosure adjacent the upper edge of said plate, switch actuating means for said switch means extending through said opening and outside said handle or ready manipulation by the user of said mixer, and means deiined by the walls defining said chamber for engaging and supporting one of the side edges of said plate.

8. A household food mixer comprising a power unit including a housing, beater elements depending from said housing adjacent one end thereof and drivingly connected to said power unit, an elongated recess defined by walls formed integrally with said housing from which said beater elements depend, said recess being disposed at the other end of said housing, the longitudinal axis of said elongated recess being generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said housing, a stand for supporting said power unit comprising a base and an elongated upright secured to said base, a member pivotally mounted to the upper end of said upright, and a projection on said member readily receivable in the recess in said housing for pivotally supporting said power unit on said stand.

9. The food mixer of, claim 8 wherein said recess narrows lrom the entrance thereto and said projection conforms to the shape of said recess.

10. The food mixer of claim 8 wherein spring biased detent means are provided at the upper end of said upright selectively to retain said member in one of a plurality of positions.

l1. A portable electric food mixer comprising a power unit including a casing comprising a cover member, a handle including a hollow post member secured to said cover member, a motor in said casing, a beater element driven by said motor, beater ejector means for releasing said beater element from driven engagement with said motor, means defining an opening in one of said members, shoulder means defining a recess in said post member adjacent said opening, a movable button disposed in said opening and said recess, means operatively relating said button and said .beater ejector means, and stop means for said button comprising a portion of said shoulder means.

l2. A portable electric food mixer comprising a power lunit including a casing comprising a cover member, a ihollow post member secured to said cover member, a 'handle secured to said hollow post member, a switch Ain said hollow post member including a switch actuating button projecting beyond the exterior of said post l"member, a motor in said casing, a beater element driven 'by said motor, beater ejector means for releasing said lheater element from driven engagement with said motor,

lmeans defining an opening in at least one of said memibers adjacent said handle, a reciprocally movable button disposed in said opening, and means including an elongated longitudinally movable member for operatively relating said reciprocally movable button and said beater ejector means, said handle and buttons being positioned so that the operator can actuate either of said buttons with the thumb of the hand grasping said handle.

References Cited in the rile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,871,274 Nielsen Aug. 9, 1932 2,037,890 Dow Apr. 21, 1936 2,075,851 Johnston Apr. 6, 1937 2,326,996 Fuge Aug. 17, 1943 2,330,860 Behar Oct. 5, 1943 2,455,026 Seyfried Nov. 30, 1948 2,584,214 Luther et al. Feb. 5, 1952 2,615,939 -Mitchell Oct. 28, 1952 2,615,942 Edman Oct. 28, 1952 2,701,698 Holstein Feb. 8, 1955 2,719,238 Collura Sept. 27, 1955 2,738,959 Schott Mar. 20, 1956 2,761,983 Koch Sept. 4, 1956 2,797,901 Seyfried July 2, 1957 2,812,166 De'Angelis et al. Nov. 5, 1957 2,815,939 Kibbe Dec. 10, 1957 2,823,017 Schans Feb. l1, 1958 2,842,346 Koch July 8, 1958 2,857,533 Miller Oct. 2l, 1958 "3 2,870,354 Antonidis et al 1an. 20. 1959 

1. A FOOD MIXER COMPRISING A CASING, AN ELECTRIC MOTOR IN SAID CASING, A DOWNWARDLY DIRECTED RECESS AT ONE END OF SAID CASING, A PAIR OF SPACED SLEEVES INTEGRAL WITH A PORTION OF SAID CASING DEPENDING INTO SAID RECESS, A PAIR OF HOLLOW SPINDLES ONE ROTATABLY DISPOSED IN EACH OF SAID SLEEVES, MEANS FOR DRIVINGLY CONNECTING SAID SPINDLES TO SAID MOTOR, A PAIR OF BEATERS EACH INCLUDING A SHAFT, SAID BEATER SHAFTS BEING INSERTED ONE INTO EACH OF SAID HOLLOW SPINDLES SO AS TO BE DRIVEN THEREBY, MEANS FOR RELEASABLY HOLDING SAID BEATERS IN DRIVING RELATIONSHIP WITH SAID SPINDLES, A SHOULDER DEFINED ON EACH OF SAID BEATER SHAFTS IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT THE DEPENDING END OF SAID SLEEVES, A PAIR OF SPACED DOWNWARDLY DIRECTED TRUNNION RECEIVING NOTCHES DEFINED BY THE WALLS OF SAID RECESS, A PLATE INCLUDING A PAIR OF TRUNNIONS RECEIVED IN SAID NOTCHES, SPRING MEANS HOLDING SAID PLATE WITH SAID TRUNNIONS IN SAID NOTCHES AND BIASING SAID PLATE INTO SAID RECESS IN A DIRECTION AWAY FROM SAID SHOULDERS, AND MEANS SECURED TO SAID PLATE AND MOVABLE WITH SAID PLATE TOWARD SAID SHOULDERS AND INTO ENGAGEMENT THEREWITH TO FORCE SAID BEATER SHAFTS OUT OF DRIVING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID SPINDLES. 